# Sign Regulations in Jenkintown Borough, Pennsylvania

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Jenkintown Borough, Pennsylvania, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Jenkintown Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/jenkintown-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15142014#15142014)

## At a glance

Jenkintown Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 25 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Off-Site Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard)s in the Town Center District, Neighborhood Commercial Residential District, Gateway Commercial District zoning district are capped at 40 ft from ground to top of sign (max) tall, 300 sq ft per side, and 25 ft length, 12 ft width wide, with a 20 ft from property line; 25 ft from street ROW; 1,000 ft from other off-premises advertising signs; 500 ft from residential zoning district setback (Sec. § 181-141). Most commercial signs in Jenkintown Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 4 ft for freestanding signs | 8 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 3 | 4 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Town Center District, Neighborhood Commercial Residential District, Gateway Commercial District | 16 | 40 ft from ground to top of sign (max) | 300 sq ft per side | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Incidental Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | On the same lot as the use for which the information is provided | — | § 181-135, § 181-134.P |
| Directional Sign (General) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Premises | — | § 181-137.D |
| Personal Expression Sign | 4 ft for freestanding signs | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Freestanding, wall, or window | — | § 181-137.L |
| Menu/Business Hours Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Display box on facade, window near entrance or podium inside restaurant after closing | — | § 181-137.K |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Portable Sign) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | On sidewalk, minimum 5 ft pedestrian path maintained, only in front of business | — | § 181-137.O(5) |
| Address Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Must be clearly visible from street | — | § 181-137.G |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Institutional Freestanding or Monument Sign | 4 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | One per property or, if applicable, one per street frontage | On property of institutional use (school, college, church, etc.) | — | § 181-138A, Table 7 |
| Multifamily/Residential Development Identification Freestanding or Monument Sign | Monument: 4 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | One sign at main entrance (additional signs at secondary entrances allowed by Borough Council approval) | At main entrance to the development (secondary entrances by Borough Council approval) | — | § 181-138A, Table 7 |
| Parallel Wall Sign (Rental Office for Residential Development) | Not to exceed eave line or top of parapet wall of principal building, whichever is lower | 6 sq ft | — | — | One sign | On principal building | — | § 181-138A, Table 7 |

### Town Center District, Neighborhood Commercial Residential District, Gateway Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Use, Single Entrance) | 5 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | — | One per use | On-site for each single use | — | § 181-138B(2)(a), Table 8 |
| Monument Sign (Single Use, Single Entrance) | 5 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | — | One per use | On-site for each single use | — | § 181-138B(2)(a), Table 8 |
| Parallel Wall Sign (Single Use, Corner or Multi-Entrance) | Not to exceed eave line or top of parapet wall | 200 sq ft | — | — | Two per street frontage or two per entrance | Façade facing street or parking lot | — | § 181-138B(2)(b), Table 9 |
| Projecting Wall Sign (Single Use, Corner or Multi-Entrance) | Not to exceed eave line or top of parapet wall | 12 sq ft | — | — | Two per street frontage or two per entrance | Building/entrance façade | — | § 181-138B(2)(b), Table 9 |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Uses, Directory Sign) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | One per street frontage; for business/commercial center or directory | — | § 181-138B(3)(a), Table 10 |
| Monument Sign (Multiple Uses, Directory Sign) | 6 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | One per street frontage; for business/commercial center or directory | — | § 181-138B(3)(a), Table 10 |
| Parallel Wall Sign (Multiple Uses, Individual Tenant Signs) | Not to exceed eave line or top of parapet wall | 30 sq ft | — | — | Two per tenant | Façade facing street or parking lot or internal aisleway | — | § 181-138B(3)(b)[1], Table 11 |
| Off-Site Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard) | 40 ft from ground to top of sign (max) | 300 sq ft per side | 25 ft length, 12 ft width | 20 ft from property line; 25 ft from street ROW; 1,000 ft from other off-premises advertising signs; 500 ft from residential zoning district | One per lot | Gateway Commercial District only | — | § 181-141 |

## Prohibited signs in Jenkintown Borough

- No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic on a street by obscuring view or by interfering with official street signs or signals, by virtue of position or color.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained as to prevent free ingress or egress to or from any door, window or fire escape.
- No projecting sign shall extend into the cartway of the right-of-way or be less than 10 feet above a pedestrianway.
- No wall sign affixed parallel to a building facade shall project more than 12 inches beyond the build-to line, and the lower ledge of any parallel sign shall not be less than seven feet above the finished grade.
- No freestanding sign may occupy an area designated for parking, loading, walkways, driveways, fire lane, easement, cartway of the right-of-way or other areas required to be unobstructed.
- Only directional or other instructional signs shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape and shall only be permitted with approval of the Fire Marshal.
- Signs, not including historical markers and banners approved by the Borough, shall not be affixed to a utility pole or structure, lighting standard, parking meter, park bench, tree, shrub, rock or natural object except plaques of a maximum of one square foot.
- No sign shall have flashing, intermittent, animated, revolving, rotating, horizontal and/or vertical movement and/or other illumination, and such signs are specifically prohibited.
- Illumination of signs from the rear or signs designed to be illuminated from the rear (backlit) are prohibited.
- Neon lighting is not permitted in residential districts.
- Any sign which flashes, moves or emits smoke, steam, other visible particulates or odor is prohibited.
- Spinners, pennants, streamers and any moving object used for commercial advertising purposes, whether or not any of the aforesaid items contain a message, are prohibited, except that banners and flags are permitted when authorized under other provisions.
- Flashing, electronically changing messages; blinking, twinkling, animated or moving signs of any type are prohibited, except those portions of signs which indicate time and temperature changes or those signs that satisfy the requirements of the definition of 'electronic graphic display.'
- Any sign painted onto the actual masonry of a building/structure is prohibited, except for a mural as defined.
- Vehicular signs are prohibited in residential areas.
- Signs that exhibit statements, words or pictures of obscene or pornographic subjects are prohibited as determined by the Borough.
- Revolving signs are prohibited, except barbershop poles.
- Signs containing beacon lights are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Projecting V-shaped signs are prohibited.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- Awnings that are backlit are prohibited.
- Any sign inconsistent with this article is prohibited.
- Signs erected without the permission of the property owner or authorized agent are prohibited.
- Searchlights in connection with operation of business are prohibited.
- Any sign which, by color, shape or location, conflicts with or resembles a traffic signal device or government sign is prohibited.
- Signs that create a hazard by obstructing the clear view of vehicles and pedestrian traffic are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs and awnings are prohibited and must be removed within 60 days of being considered abandoned.

## Signs exempt from permit in Jenkintown Borough

- Street signs: official highway signs, street name, directional or other traffic signs in accordance with the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code are exempt.
- Government flags, insignia or decorative banners are exempt.
- Legal notices of a governmental agency are exempt.
- Directional signs, provided they do not contain advertising (including logos), do not exceed four square feet, and do not obstruct the sight triangles at internal intersections on the premises, are exempt.
- Public monument, plaque or historic identification marker erected by a government agency is exempt.
- Revolving barbershop pole sign, provided that it does not exceed 36 inches in height and is erected only in conjunction with a barbershop, is exempt.
- All buildings in all zoning districts are required to display the address of the property; the area of an address sign is exempt from the computation of total permitted sign area, provided the sign does not contain advertising, trade names or logos.
- Professional accessory use or nameplate signs, provided that signs are not illuminated, do not exceed two square feet, and not more than one sign shall be erected for each permitted use, are exempt.
- Home security signs not exceeding one square foot are exempt.
- Public service and information signs advertising availability of public rest rooms, telephones or similar public conveniences, not exceeding three square feet in area, are exempt.
- Menus and signs indicating business hours, not exceeding two square feet and located as described, are exempt.
- Personal expression signs are exempt, provided they are not illuminated, are either freestanding, wall or window signs, do not exceed four square feet, and, in the case of freestanding signs, do not exceed four feet in height.
- "No trespassing" signs and signs indicating private ownership of roadways or property are exempt, provided the total sign area does not exceed one square foot and signs are spaced at intervals not less than 100 feet of street frontage.
- "No parking" signs and signs indicating private parking areas in residential districts, provided area does not exceed 1.5 square feet and one sign per property, are exempt.
- The following temporary signs are exempt: Civic event signs and banners (must be removed within 72 hours after the event and not erected more than 30 days before the event); Artisan signs (not exceeding six square feet, erected on the premises and removed after completion); Garage or yard sale signs (not exceeding six square feet, only on premises where sale is conducted, one per street frontage, removed at the close of sale); Real estate sale or rental signs (unlighted, removed within five days after property is no longer available, size limits as specified); Open house signs (one per property, not exceeding three square feet per side, for one-day prior and removed after event); Directional signs to open houses (only day of open house, within four blocks, up to three signs, no attachments); Sandwich boards (see portable sign definition) following regulation: not exceeding eight square feet, permissible along sidewalk (5-foot clearance), one per business, chalk/paint/print copy, weighted base, not affixed, taken indoors at close of business.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For any sign which requires a permit, the application must include two copies of a plan drawn to scale depicting the design, dimensions, height, materials, lighting, and proposed location for each sign (see §181-139(A)(1)(b)).
- The sign permit application must also show building elevations, existing and proposed facades, parapet walls, cornices, and the location and size of all proposed and existing signage.
- Such other information as required by the Borough Zoning Officer must be provided as part of the permit application.
- For murals, a specialized application is required including scaled color sketches, a written description, maintenance plan, and consent of the building owner; approval by Borough Council is required.
- A landscaping plan is required for off-site outdoor advertising signs visible from any residential zoning district and must be reviewed and approved by the Borough Engineer.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Jenkintown Borough, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Jenkintown+Borough+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-jenkintown-borough

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